Lawyers e-Journal

Thursday, Jul. 2, 2009

State budget signed

Trial Court accounts and Social Law Library see significant cuts

Gov. Deval L. Patrick signed the FY 10 budget late Monday. The governor approved more than $1 billion in new taxes and issued approximately $147 million in line item vetoes. Among the vetoes, were cuts to Trial Court accounts totaling $18.5 million, representing 5 percent of the total vetoes. The Trial Court's administrative account and probation account took the hardest hits at $5.8 million and $9 million, respectively. Additionally, the Trial Court's reserve account, Probate and Family Court, Boston Municipal Court and community corrections line items were reduced. The Social Law Library was also hit hard by the governor's veto pen, as he slashed funding to $1 million from more than $1.5 million. The MBA will continue to work with the courts and the Legislature in anticipation of veto overrides.

The Supreme Judicial Court, the Committee for Public Counsel Services and the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation all retained the appropriations enacted by the Legislature. It is important to note that a revised budget recently filed by the governor indicated that he was willing to cut $1.5 million of MLAC's funding. Through the efforts of many who voiced their support for civil legal services, including the MBA and its members, the governor did not reduce its appropriation.